# How Many Golf Lessons Should a Beginner Take? > Tifton coach Dontavious Bell answers how many golf lessons should a beginner take, with a clear plan, local options at Forest Lakes, and pricing. - Published: October 5, 2026 - Author: Dontavious Bell, Golf coach in Tifton, Georgia Source: https://sites.coach/dontavious-bell/blog/how-many-golf-lessons-should-a-beginner-take Most new golfers do best with five lessons over six to eight weeks, paired with short, focused practice between sessions. That cadence builds a repeatable swing, gives you time to absorb changes, and gets you comfortable on the course without information overload. I'm Dontavious Bell, and I teach beginners in Tifton, Georgia, at Forest Lakes Golf Club and online. If you are wondering how many golf lessons should a beginner take, here is exactly how I structure it and why it works. ## My Simple 5-Lesson Plan for New Golfers in Tifton I coach beginners through a focused five-lesson arc. Each lesson is 60 minutes, and each one builds on the last so you do not feel like you are starting over every time. - Lesson 1: Grip, posture, and alignment. We get your setup right, then make clean contact with a short iron and wedge. You leave knowing how to aim, how to hold the club, and the one drill to practice that week. - Lesson 2: Contact and low point. We add a simple rhythm and learn to brush the grass after the ball. I show you how to hit a reliable chip and a half-swing that flies straight. - Lesson 3: Full swing structure. We connect the takeaway, top, and finish. I use clear checkpoints so you can self-coach on the range. - Lesson 4: Short game and putting. You learn a basic chipping setup and a putting routine you can rely on under pressure. - Lesson 5: Course skills. We talk pre-shot routine, club selection, and how to play smart around Forest Lakes. If you are ready, we take these skills to the first holes or simulate real shots on the range. Most beginners see clear progress by lesson three, and by lesson five you have a repeatable setup, a stock swing, and a go-to short game shot. If you want to continue after the five, we set a new goal, like breaking 60 for 9 holes or eliminating a slice. ## What Happens in Your First 60 Minutes at Forest Lakes Your first session starts with a short chat: your athletic background, any injuries, why you want to play, and what a fun round looks like for you. Then we walk through setup and make small swings with a wedge to pattern a solid strike. I complement verbal cues with simple alignment sticks or tees so you can see and feel your aim and swing path. We finish with two take-home drills and a practice plan you can do in 20 minutes. I teach at Forest Lakes Golf Club in Tifton, Georgia. We use a straightforward practice area and on-course visuals to make alignment and targets obvious. If weather or schedule is tight, we can also do lesson one online to cover setup and movement patterns, then meet in person for ball-striking. ## How Often Should a Beginner Practice Between Lessons? Two short practices a week is enough at the start. Aim for 20-30 minutes each, with a clear focus: - Session A: Setup and contact. Ten minutes of chipping, then 20 balls with a 9-iron using your alignment sticks. - Session B: Rhythm and finish. Slow 3-count takeaway, hold the finish, then 20 balls with your favorite short iron. Finish with 10 minutes of putting if we have a green available. Consistency matters more than marathon range sessions. Short, frequent reps lock in the feel from your last lesson and make the next session more productive. ## Do Online Golf Lessons Work for Beginners in Georgia? Yes. Online lessons are excellent for setup, rhythm, and movement patterns. I will ask for two simple phone videos and we will review how to hold the club, how to stand to the ball, and how to move the club back and through without tension. Many beginners start online and then meet me at Forest Lakes to transfer those mechanics to turf and real targets. If you travel a lot or your schedule is tight, we can alternate online and in-person so you keep improving every week. ## How Many Golf Lessons Should a Beginner Take If They Want to Play 9 Holes Soon? If your goal is to play 9 holes within two months, five lessons is still the sweet spot. We will prioritize: - A dependable tee shot with a hybrid or 7-iron. - A bump-and-run chip that gets on the green most of the time. - A two-putt routine for speed control. With those three tools, you can get around Forest Lakes without stress, even if you are new to the course. If you have a scramble or company outing on the calendar, we can front-load lessons 1-3 in the first three weeks so you feel ready. ## Common Beginner Pitfalls I Fix in Month One Beginners usually do not struggle from lack of power, they struggle from an inconsistent setup. Here are the mistakes I see most and how we fix them: - Grip too strong or too weak. We set your hands so the face returns square. I mark your glove for an easy checkpoint. - Standing too far from the ball. We build a balanced posture so the club can return to the same spot every time. - Over-swinging. We use a 3-count rhythm and a picture of a solid finish to control speed. - Scooping chips. We lean the shaft slightly forward and land the ball just onto the green so it runs out. You do not need a perfect swing to score. You need contact, direction, and a plan. The first month builds that foundation. ## Should You Buy Clubs Before or After Lessons? If you already own clubs, bring them. If you do not, borrow a set or we will use what I have on hand for the first lesson. After two sessions, you will know what length and flex feel right. That way, if you decide to buy, you will choose clubs that fit your setup, not the other way around. You can start as a complete beginner, and you do not need your own clubs to begin. ## Where We Work On-Course Skills In Tifton Forest Lakes Golf Club is where I teach in Tifton. The targets are clear and the layout helps beginners learn aim, club selection, and how to manage misses. We focus on playing to big areas, choosing the highest percentage chip, and building a routine you can repeat anywhere. As your comfort grows, we take the practice to real tee boxes and greens so the learning sticks when the shot matters. ## What If I Want Fewer Than Five Lessons? Some beginners only want a tune-up or a single guided start. Two to three lessons can still be effective if you pair them with smart practice. If you ask how many golf lessons should a beginner take in that case, I recommend a minimum of three: one for setup and contact, one for short game, and one for course skills. You will leave with a clear practice menu you can follow on your own. ## Cost: Beginner Golf Lessons in Tifton I keep pricing simple for 60-minute private sessions: - Single lesson: $20 for one 60-minute private lesson. Pay as you go. - 5-lesson pack: $17 per lesson, paid up front. You can book them anytime. If you prefer to try just one session first, book the single lesson. If you know you want the full beginner arc, the 5-lesson pack saves you money and locks in a consistent schedule. Lessons happen at Forest Lakes Golf Club in Tifton or online if that works better for your week. ## How We Measure Progress Without Guessing I like simple checkpoints: - Strike: Can you brush the turf after the ball on three of five swings with a short iron? - Direction: Can you start the ball on your intended line more than half the time? - Up-and-down basics: From just off the green, can you get the ball on the putting surface in two tries out of three? - Putting pace: Do your first putts finish near the hole more often than not? We track these in a notes app or a small card you keep in your bag. By lesson five you should see green checks where there were question marks. ## When Are You Ready For The First Tee? You are ready when you can: - Get the ball airborne on most swings with a 7-iron or hybrid. - Chip onto the green from the fringe reliably. - Two-putt from mid-range more often than not. At that point, your goal on the course is not to hit perfect shots, it is to choose smart targets, make your routine, and enjoy the walk. We will pick the right tees, play to big parts of fairways and greens, and keep the round moving. ## FAQ ### How much do beginner golf lessons cost in Tifton? A single 60-minute private lesson is $20. A 5-lesson pack is $17 per lesson when paid up front. Each session is one-on-one and built around your goals as a new golfer. ### Where do you teach beginner golf lessons in Tifton? I teach at Forest Lakes Golf Club in Tifton, Georgia, and I also teach online. If you have a format you prefer, tell me before booking so I can set up the right plan for you. ### How long until a beginner sees improvement with lessons in Tifton? Most beginners feel a difference in the first lesson and see more consistent contact by lesson three. With two short practices each week, you should feel confident playing 9 holes within six to eight weeks. ### Do you offer online beginner golf coaching for Georgia players? Yes. Online sessions are great for grip, posture, alignment, rhythm, and basic chipping. We can alternate online and in-person lessons so you keep momentum even when your schedule is tight. ### How many golf lessons should a beginner take before buying clubs? Start with one to two lessons using what you have or what I provide. After that, you will know the length and feel that suit your setup, which makes buying smarter and cheaper. Ready to get started at Forest Lakes or online? Book a lesson and we will build your swing, your routine, and your confidence one focused hour at a time. ## Links - [Read this post on the site](https://sites.coach/dontavious-bell/blog/how-many-golf-lessons-should-a-beginner-take) - [All posts](https://sites.coach/dontavious-bell/blog/index.md) - [Dontavious Bell](https://sites.coach/dontavious-bell) - [Dontavious Bell as Markdown](https://sites.coach/dontavious-bell/index.md)